SENIOR BUILDING INSPECTOR
DEFINITION:
Under the direction of the Chief Building Official, the Senior Building Inspector will do plan checking of projects excluding structural calculations, issues permits; answer questions and imparts information pertaining to building codes, regulations, standards and City policies to contractors, engineers, architects and the general public; the Senior Building Inspector will make inspections of residential, commercial, industrial, and public buildings of new construction and existing construction; acts as the Chief Building Official in his/her absence; assists and supervises the building inspectors’ daily duties; participates in the training of the inspectors; performs other related duties as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS, FEATURES, REQUIREMENTS:
This is a full-time, non-exempt classification requiring journey-level technical expertise and excellent customer service skills. Involves significant interaction and coordination with clients, contractors and other city employees. This position is distinguished from the Building Inspector classification based on its lead worker responsibility and the fact it serves as the Chief Building Official in his/her absence.
SUPERVISION EXERCISED AND RECEIVED:
Receives general supervision from the Chief Building Official who reports to the Community Development Director on the division’s activities. This classification reports to the Chief Building Official and serves as the lead worker of the Building Inspectors’ daily duties. The Chief Building Official provides overall supervision of the Building Inspectors.
IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
Schedules the daily duties of the Building Inspectors; assists Building Inspectors in the inspection of buildings and structures in all stages of construction, alteration, and repair; reviews and checks building plans and specifications for all industrial, commercial, public, and residential structures and buildings; enforces building, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, and zoning codes and laws; issues permits and collects fees: interprets code requirements to builders, subcontractors, and owners; checks and reviews guidelines set down by the Chief Building Official for understanding and compliance; investigates violations and complaints received through the building inspection division; provides phone and counter service to the public, contractors, and architects; personally performs field inspections of the more complex or difficult building construction, plumbing, mechanical, or electrical installations in all stages of completions in residential, business or public buildings to insure compliance with applicable building, electric, plumbing, mechanical and safety codes, safety orders, ordinances and regulations; conducts final inspections of completed work giving approval to acceptable structures and installations; checks contractors and industrial and commercial businesses to insure they are properly licensed; keeps records and prepares reports of inspections; resolves disagreements and problems concerning inspections and compliance; Senior Building Inspector
City of Foster City
4 7
9 7
represents the Building Division in minor meetings; assists in the review of the Special Inspection Review Program; attends and facilitates at pre-construction meetings; acts as liaison between departments; assists in the development of streamlining the programs and procedures of the Division; assists in the monitoring of yearly code changes; co-ordinates with other governmental inspection agencies; prepares warning letters to negligent owners or contractors in situations of non-compliance; supervises the Building Inspection Division in the absence of the Chief Building Official.
OTHER JOB-RELATED DUTIES:
Ability to physically perform site inspections in varying construction conditions, requiring physical agility and stamina, stooping, walking, sitting and reaching for considerable periods of time.
JOB-RELATED QUALIFICATIONS:
Knowledge of: Federal, state and municipal codes, ordinances, and regulations related to zoning, building construction, electrical, plumbing and mechanical; building construction, materials and accepted safety standards; inspection methods and procedures; elements of effective personnel supervision.
EDUCATION AND TRAINING GUIDELINES:
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities. A typical way would be:
Education: Graduation from high school or equivalent. An Associate’s degree or 60 semester units (or 90 quarter units) in engineering technology, architecture, construction management, or a related field is desirable.
A desired course of additional education would include two (2) years of college course work in Civil Engineering, Architecture, Building Inspection, or completion of an Apprenticeship Program in a building construction related field.
Experience: Three (3) years of experience to include a minimum of one (1) year full-time plan check experience and one (1) year of progressively responsible experience in a variety of municipal building inspection work.
Five (5) years of increasingly responsible, full-time building inspection experience with a city and/or county public agency;
OR
Four (4) years of professional, full-time experience as a building inspector with a public agency and two (2) years of experience as a licensed general contractor.
Senior Building Inspector
City of Foster City
4 7
9 7
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to read and interpret plans and specifications; perform complex building, plumbing, mechanical and electrical inspections; interpret and apply provisions of pertinent codes and regulations, prepare accurate and concise reports; acquire and demonstrate skill supervising and managing work of others; learn administrative techniques, methods and procedures of personnel management and other skills required to assist in management of the Division operations; establish and assist in developing improvements to computerized Division operations; establish and maintain cooperative working relations with engineers, architects, contractors and the general public; attend work and perform duties on a regular and consistent basis.
LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND REGISTRATION:
The following are required at time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment:
• A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related duties. • Certification as a Residential Building Inspector (B1) and Certification as a Commercial Building Inspector (B2),
• Positions may additionally require or prefer possession of ICC certifications including:
Electrical Inspector (E1/E2), Plumbing Inspector (P1/P2), and Mechanical Inspector (M1/M2), Residential Plans Examiner, Commercial Plans Examiner,
Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License and possession of the International Conference of Building Officials (I.C.B.O.) Plans Examiner Certificate and Full Combination Building Inspector Certificate.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone. This is primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required.
Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment. Positions in this classification occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information.
Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 25 pounds.
Senior Building Inspector
City of Foster City
4 7
9 7
When working in the field environment, must possess mobility to work in changing site conditions; possess the strength, stamina, and mobility to perform light to medium physical work; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend, to climb and descend ladders; and to operate a motor vehicle and visit various sites; vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress. The job involves fieldwork requiring frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards, with exposure to hazardous materials in some site locations. Employees must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 40 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Employees work in an office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances. Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
When working in the field environment, environmental conditions can vary widely and significantly impact job duties including but not limited to exposure to extreme temperatures (heat or cold), wetness, humidity, and potential hazards like moving mechanical parts or hazardous contaminants, uneven or steep terrain, confined spaces, and exposure to loud noises from equipment or machinery.
Title Senior Building Inspector
Classification Code
Classification Established 06/19/2000
Classification Revised 06/15/2026
FLSA Status Non-Exempt
Bargaining Group AFSCME